Gov. Tina Kotek and state Sen. Christine Drazan will meet for a live televised debate October 7 at KOBI-TV in Medford, bringing Oregon’s gubernatorial campaign to Southern Oregon seven days before counties begin mailing general election ballots.
KOBI-TV and Southern Oregon University are organizing the event following the candidates’ October 1 debate at the University of Oregon in Eugene. KFXO and KTVZ+ have scheduled live coverage of the Medford debate beginning at 7 p.m. Pacific, extending the broadcast into Central Oregon.
Kotek, the Democratic incumbent, and Drazan, the Republican challenger, previously faced each other in the 2022 governor’s race. Their first formal debate of the 2026 campaign included questions about household affordability, economic conditions, education funding, wildfire mitigation and data centers.
In Eugene, Kotek defended her administration’s performance and argued that federal policies have created additional difficulties for Oregon. Drazan challenged the governor’s record, blaming state leadership for problems facing residents and businesses. The candidates repeatedly disputed each other’s accounts of their legislative records and policy decisions.
Education questions brought disagreements over student achievement, attendance and accountability. Kotek cited investments in early literacy and efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism. She also pointed to legislation establishing statewide performance standards and described those measures as part of her administration’s response to school outcomes.
Drazan criticized education policies adopted during Kotek’s years in state leadership and argued that the governor bears responsibility for Oregon’s school performance. Questions also addressed financial support for public universities, requiring both candidates to discuss higher education alongside elementary and secondary schools.
Wildfire mitigation and the cost of firefighting were also raised. Kotek cited her efforts to establish a permanent funding source for fire response. The discussion placed firefighting expenditures among the state budget issues addressed during the opening debate, along with education and economic policy.
Questions about data centers examined another contested area of Oregon’s development policy. Affordability and economic conditions prompted broader exchanges over the state’s direction, with Kotek defending her approach and Drazan calling for different leadership. Their statements reflected competing campaign positions on how Oregon should respond to financial pressures on households and businesses.
The candidates also appeared together at a Portland business forum in September, where they discussed taxes, tariffs and economic competitiveness. That event was structured as a forum rather than a formal debate. The October meetings in Eugene, Medford and Bend comprise their scheduled televised debate appearances heading into the November election.
After Medford, Kotek and Drazan are scheduled to meet October 13 in Bend. KTVZ will produce that debate with community partner The Source, with coverage beginning at 6 p.m.
October 13 is also Oregon’s voter registration deadline. Counties begin mailing ballots to active registered voters October 14, and Election Day is November 3. All registered voters may participate in the general election regardless of party affiliation.
Residents of Jackson, Josephine and neighboring counties can check their registration status and residential address through Oregon’s My Vote system. County elections offices can assist voters with registration updates and ballot questions before mailing begins.